Lubricating pump device



Dec. 9, 1958 c. T. HEINTZ 2,863,396

r LUBRICATING PUMP DEVICE v Filed March 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VII X /4 J L I4 INVENTOR. 94 CLARENCE 7T HE/NTZ BY ll/1W H/S A TTOENE v7 United States Patent LUBRICATIN G PUMP DEVICE Clarence T. Heintz, Elyria, Ohio, assignor to The Ridge Tool Company, Elyria, Ohio Application March 9, 1955, Serial No. 493,077

12 Claims. (Cl. 103-178) This invention relates to improvements in lubricating devices, and more particularly to that class of mechanism that is operable by manual means.

Heretofore, in devices of this class, the structure usually comprised of a lubricant reservoir, pump mechanism, a lubricating member, known in the art as a lubricating gun, and the necessary tubing for connecting said elements into a unitary structure.

The pump mechanism received lubricant from the reservoir, and transmitted it through the tubing, under predetermined pressure conditions, to the lubricating gun wherein it was directed to the area to be treated.

It is very apparent, that once the original installation of such mechanism is made, it cannot be readily transported to subsequent locations without first dismantling said unit and thereafter moving each device to the desired location.

Another disadvantage closely associated with the immobility of the prior art devices is the amount of space required for installation, which is becoming more important as technology advances and the use of said space is at a premium.

Still another disadvantage is that additional means must be provided to supply the energy required to drive the pump mechanism.

The novel improvements of the present invention resides in that a structure is provided that is of light weight construction, and is easily transported to any desired location without having to dismantle any parts. 1 Another advantage of this invention is, that it is comprised of only two primary elements, namely; a lubricating gun, and a lubricant reservoir. The only other structure that is external to said elements is the tubing that connects said elements together.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those versed in the art and by using said device, and a more thorough understanding thereof will be realized by referring to theaccompanying drawings, which disclose one embodiment of the invention, and which are included as a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of the invention showing the gun in elevation and the tank in section;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section of the intake and filtering member and associated coupling means;

Fig. 3 is a vertical medial sectional view of the lubricating gun, showing elements thereof in one position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the elements in another position; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a link used in the gun.

Briefly, this invention comprises a hand-operated lubricating gun, having pump means therein, that is capable of drawing lubricant from a reservoir and supplying said lubricant under predetermined flow conditions to the area desired. Valve means within the pump means are alternately operable to connect the pump to the reservoir or to the exterior of the lubricating gun.

"Ice I An input and filtering member is located in the lubricant reservoir, and is operable to filter out extraneous materials from said lubricant before it is transported to said lubricating gun. Valve means in said filtering member, is alternately operable to allow said lubricant to flow through the associated tubing to the lubricating gun, or to stop said lubricant from escaping from said reservoir.

Referring now to the drawings throughout which like elements are designated by like reference characters, the numeral 11, Fig. 1, refers to a hand operable lubricating device, commonly known in the art as a lubricating gun. Said member includes a piston housing 12, Fig. 3, substantially tubular in configuration, and having a cylindrical piston chamber 13 formed axially therein. A valve chamber 14 having downwardly converging walls 15 is formed in the housing below and connects with the piston chamber.

The vertical walls 16 of the piston chamber 13 are displaced horizontally from the walls 15 of the valve chamber 14 thereby forming an annular seat 17 for the reception of a spacer plate 18. A plurality of fluid flow apertures 19 are formed in the spacer plate to allow the lubricant to flow upward freely into the piston chamber 13. The spacer plate 18 provides a base for spring members associated with elements within said member 11, which will be described more fully hereinafter. The convergence of the walls 15 becomes very acute providing a valve seat 21 for valve member 22, the purpose and function of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A spring member 23, having one end engaging the lower surface of the spacer plate 18, and the opposite end engaging and partially enveloping the valve member 22, holds the valve lightly in engagement withits valve seat 21. An intake valve port 24 extends vertically downward from the base of said valve seat, axially through the housing 12, to provide a means of ingress to said member 11. The lower portion of the valve port 24 is provided with threads 25, thereby enabling said member 11 to be connected to a lubricant reservoir 20, Fig. 1, by means of flexible tubing 26. One end of .the tubing is in threaded engagement with the lower portion of valve port 24 and the opposite end thereof is connected to the lubricant reservoir 20, through coupling means 30 and 32.

A piston assembly 27, having a lower cylindrical part 28, and an upper valve part 29 is placed with cylinder 28 slidable in the chamber. The outer surface 31 of the cylindrical part slidably engages the walls 16" of the chamber 13, providing a substantially oil-tight seal, thereby preventing the escape of lubricant therebetween. If desired suitable sealing rings, not shown, may be used.

The piston is hollowed out to provide a chamber 33, which is substantially a frustrum of a cone which opens to the chamber 13.

An outlet duct 36 is formed centrally within the piston 27, and connects the chamber 33 to an outlet valve chamber 38 formed in the end portion of the upper part 29 to provide a means of egress from said member 11.

The wall 35 of the chamber 33 is displaced horizontally from the wall 39 of the duct 36 thereby forming an annular seat 41.

A retaining washer 42 having an aperture 43 formed centrally therein to allow lubricant to flow therethrough, is positioned within the chamber 33, and is held in engagement with seat 41 by means of a spring 44 placed within the piston chamber 13. One end of the spring 44 engages the upper surface of the spacer plate 18, pressing said plate against the seat 17, and the remaining portion of said spring extends upward into the chamber 33 and the opposite end thereof engages said washer 42.

The walls 46 of the outlet valve chamber 38 extend 3 vertically downward, and converge acutely inward to provide a seat 47 for a valve 48.

The upper part 29 of the piston 27 is enclosed by a cap member 49. An aperture 51 formed within said cap member is' provided with an internally threaded surface 52 which is in engagement with mating external threads 53 formed about the periphery of the upper portion 29 of the piston member 27. An aperture 54 is formed in the top of said cap member, and a nozzle 55, Fig. l is placed therein providing a means for directing the flow of lubricant wherever desired. The nozzle 55 is retained in said aperture 54 by means of a flange 56, Fig. 3, formed on the lower end of said nozzle which engages the inner surface of the top horizontal wall 57 of the cap member 49.

A retaining washer 60 having an aperture 59 formed centrally therein is placed on top of the piston member 27, and as the cap member is threaded thereon, said washer engages the flange 56 of the nozzle, and forces it upward into pressure engagement with the top horizontal wall 57 of the cap member 49, thereby rigidly securing said nozzle in said cap member.

A spring 63, having one end engaging the lower surface of the retaining washer 60, and the opposite end engaging and partially enveloping the valve member 48, forces said member into pressure engagement with its valve seat 47.

The cap member 49 is provided with a handgrip member 67, Fig. 1, which may be substantially elliptical in cross-section, and having undulations 68 formed on the surface thereof, to enable the operator to firmly grasp said handgrip member to aid in the manual operation and manipulation of said lubricating device. An arm 71 extends outward from the upper edge of the piston housing 12, and, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, may be formed as an integral part of said housing. A book 73, Fig. l, is formed on the free end of the arm 71, and provides a means for hanging the lubricating gun upon a tool rack or similar structure, to prevent its being damaged while not in use.

A lever 74, having a finger actuator part 75, a central pivot or fulcrum portion 76, and end part 77, is pivotally attached to cap member 49 by screws 78. The pivot portion 76 is formed to embrace the lower end of the cap member 49, and the screws 78 are in threaded engagement with apertures (not shown), on diametrically opposite sides of the cap member. The end part 77 is composed of two elongated fingers 81, extending horizontally outward from the pivot portion 76, which are joined together at the end by a bridging member 82.

A groove 83, is formed in each finger juxtaposed to the bridging member. An aperture 85 is formed in the arm 71, and when the unit is completely assembled, said aperture is directly below the grooves 83.

An I-shaped link member 86, Fig. 5, having an elongated central stem 87, and end bars 88 and 89 extending outwardly in diametrically opposite directions from the end of the stem, and normal thereto, couples the lever 74 to the portion housing 12. The link member 86 is passed upward through aperture 85, between the fingers 81, and the upper bar 88 is seated in the grooves 83 in the end part 77 of the lever 74. The spring 44, in pressure engagement with the spacer plate 18 and retaining washer 42, forces the piston and attached cap member upward until the lower bar 89 engages the underside of arm 71. This association of elements, as shown in Fig. 3, represents the rest or static position of said lubricating device.

;A shallow notch 91 may be placed on the underside surface of the arm 71 at the point of contact with the arm 89 to prevent the link from sliding on arm 71.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the lubricating gun is connected to the lubricant reservoir 20 by means of tubing 26,;and associated fittings 30 and 32. It is to be understood that any method of connection may be provided between the lubricant gun and reservoir, and it is not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosed system preferred herein.

In the embodiment shown, one end of the tubing 26 may be formed with threads 94 which are brought into engagement with threads 25 provided on the lower portion of the valve duct 24 to fasten the tubing to the housing 12. A coupling member 30 is attached to the opposite end of the tubing, and is provided with external threads 92, which are in engagement with internal threads (not shown) formed on one end of fitting 32, which is commonly called a 90 street elbow. The opposite end of fitting 32 is inserted into an aperture (not shown) in the wall 91, of the reservoir, until the boss 96 of said fitting 32 engages the outside surface of said wall 91. A nut 93 secures the fitting and attached tubing to the wall.

An arbitrarily chosen length of tubing 95, having one end connected to the elbow 32, extends horizontally into the reservoir, wherein elbow member 97 is attached to the opposite end thereof.

An intake and filtering member 101 is attached to the opposite end of elbow member 97, to provide for escapment of filtered lubricant from the reservoir. The member 101 is usually positioned in the reservoir, so as to rest on the inner surface of the base thereof to enable the greatest quantity of lubricant to be effected thereby.

The intake and filtering member 101 is composed of a substantially tubular-shaped valve body 103, having a cylindrical chamber 104 formed axially therein, and open to the top surface thereof. The Walls 105 of said chamber extend vertically downward, and converge acutely inward to provide a valve seat 107 for valve mem ber 108.

A plurality of radial valve ports 109 are formed in the valve body 103, below the valve member 108, and are connected to a central intake port 111, which provides a passageway for the lubricant from the reservoir to the member 101.

A filter 112 is placed over the lower part of the valve body, and prevents any foreign material from entering a the valve chamber.

The filter 112 is comprised of an inverted cylindrical dish-type baffle 113, and a fine mesh cylindrical screen 114 placed centrally within said baffie member. An aperture 115 is formed in the top horizontal wall 116 of the baffle 113, and the valve body 103 is passed t-herethrough. A cap 118 having a hole 119 formed centrally therein, is placed over the lower end of the valve body, and a vertical rim 117 of said cap partially embraces the filter screen 114. Threads 120 are formed on the lower end of the valve body 103, and a nut 121 is threaded thereon to force the cap 118 into engagement with the screen 114. The screen is thereby firmly secured between the baffle 113 and cap 118, and thereby prevents any extraneous matter from entering the valve chamber.

A coupling member 123, having an aperture 124 formed in the upper part, and a second aperture 125 of greater diameter formed in the lower part, connecting to the upper aperture and providing a thru-passage for the lubricant, provides a means to fasten the intake and filtering member 101 to the tubing system leading to the exterior of the reservoir 20.

Threads 126 formed on the periphery of 125 engage like threads on the upper end of the valve body 103 to secure the coupling member to the intake and filtering member 101.

Threads 128 formed on the periphery of aperture 124 are in engagement with like external threads 129 on the lower end of elbow member 97 to secure said member and at-taeh'ed intake and filtering member to the tubing system.

An annular shelf 131=is '"forh'ied'at the interceptin'g'plan'e of apertures 124 and 125, and a spring retaining washer 133 is pressed against said shelf when the coupling member 123 and valve body 103 are in operative engagement with each other.

A spring 135 is placed within the cylindrical chamber 104 of valve 103, and one end engages the lower surface of spring retaining washer 133. The opposite end of the spring extends downward through the chamber 104, and engages and partially envelops the valve member 108, forcing said valve member into pressure engagement with its valve seat 107.

In operation, the lubricating gun 11 is grasped by means of the hand grip member 67, and one finger, usually the thumb, is placed on top of the actuator part 75 of lever 74. By pressing down upon the actuator part, the lever pivots about the screws 78. The pivotal connection afforded by the arm part 77 of the lever 74 and link member 86, forces the piston downwardly into the chamber 13, against the resistance of spring member 44. Fig. 4, illustrates the position of the piston member 27 at the end of its downward stroke. The lever 74 is then released, and the spring member 44 pushes the piston member upward to its original position as depicted in Fig. 3

The upward exertion by the spring member 44 against piston member 27 during its upward stroke creates a vacuum in the chamber 13 and 33 which is suflicient to force the fluid upward and also force the valve member 22 upward, against the resistance of spring member 23, and thereby draw the air or fluid from the tubing 26 into the piston chamber 13. The valve member 48 remains seated upon its seat 47, sealing the outlet port 36 from valve chamber 38.

When the piston 27 is forced downward, the pressure in the piston chamber 13 and valve member 14 is increased, and the valve 22 is forced onto the valve seat 21. At the same time, because of the increase in pressure in piston chamber 13 and valve chamber 14, a pressure differential is created between the said chambers and outlet valve chamber 38, which forces the valve 48 upward into valve chamber 38, against the resistance of spring member 63. The air or fluid is then free to escape through the nozzle 55 to the exterior.

When sufficient air is removed from the tubing 26, a pressure differential is created between the chamber 104 and the lubricant in the reservoir 20, and the valve member 108 is forced upward into chamber 104,-against the resistance of spring member 135. The lubricant then flows through the filtering member 112 and the valve ports 109 into the chamber 104. The lubricant continues to flow into the associated tubing 95, coupling members'32 and 30, and into the tubing 26 to the lubricating gun 11.

By subsequent, repeated, cyclical operation of the lever 74, the lubricant is drawn into the gun during the upward stroke of the piston member 27, and forced outward therefrom, through the nozzle 55, during the downward stroke of the piston member.

It is therefore seen, that during the downward stroke of the piston member 27, the valve members 22 and 108 are forced onto their respective seats, and valve member 48 is forced upward, connecting the piston chamber 13 to the outlet valve chamber 38 allowing the lubricant to flow therethrough to the exterior of the gun 11. During the upward stroke of the piston member, the valve members 22 and 108 are forced upward connecting the lubricant reservoir to the piston chamber 13, and the valve member 48 is forced onto its seat 47 closing the piston chamber 13 from the atmosphere while the lubricant is being drawn into the piston chamber 13. During the downward stroke of the piston member the valves 22 and 108 are closed, and, the resultant decrease in volume of the chamber 13 forces the fluid upward past the valve 48, which is raised off of its seat, into the nozzle 55.

It will be appreciated that the valve air filter mechanism of Fig. 2 does not necessarily have to be connected to any specific form of tank as shown. For instance, the tubing 26, which is flexible, could be connected directly to a nozzle or the elbow 97 and thence to the filter, and the same be lowered into any vessel containing lubricant or cutting fluid. It will also be appreciated that the device may be used for supplying either lubricant or cutting fluid where cutting or machinery operation requires a Having thus described my invention, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A lubricating device comprising a reservoir arranged to hold a supply of lubricant, means connected to said reservoir operable to selectively direct said lubricant to a receiving area or surface external to said device comprising a lubricating gun member having a chamber formed centrally therein, piston means slidably disposed in said chamber, means connected to said piston means and gun member and movable with respect thereto to slide said piston means into said chamber to an extreme inward position with respect to said chamber, means disposed within saidchamber engaging said. piston means and arranged to slide said piston means to an extreme outward position with respect to said chamber, means in said gun member disposed on opposite ends of said chamber and alternately operable by said piston means,

when said piston means is moved from its extreme outward position to its extreme inward position and back to its extreme outward position, to shut-off said chamber from said reservoir of said external area or surface, and means within said reservoir connected between said lubricant supply and said gun member to alternately shutoff or connect said lubricant supply to said lubricating gun member during the operation thereof.

2. A lubricating device comprising a reservoir arranged to hold a supply of lubricant, means connected to said reservoir operable to selectively direct said lubricant to a receiving area or surface external to said device comprising a substantially tubular-shaped lubricating gun member having a cylindrical chamber formed therein, piston means slidably disposed in said chamber, an actuator member, and means providing a pivotal con nection for said actuator member on said. piston means and said gun member, said actuator member being effective to move said piston means into said chamber to an extreme inward position, resilient means in said chamber engaging said piston means and operative to move said piston means outward through said chamber to an extreme outward position, valve means disposed in said gun member on opposite ends of said chamber and alternately operable to connect said chamber to said receiving area or surface as said piston means is moved toward its extreme inward position and to connect said chamber to said reservoir as said piston means is moved toward its extreme outward position, and valve means in said reservoir between said lubricant supply and said gun member and operable by said piston means to shut off or connect said lubricant supply to said gun member.

3. A lubricating device comprising a reservoir arranged to hold a supply of lubricant, .means connected to said reservoir operable to selectively direct said lubricant to a receiving area or surface external to said device comprising a tubular-shaped lubricating gun member having a chamber formed centrally therein, piston means slidably disposed in said chamber, operating means for said piston means comprising a lever member pivotally connected to said piston means, means pivotally coupling said lever member to said gun member, said lever member having means enabling manual manipulation thereof about said pivotal connection and coupling to move said piston means in said chamber to an extreme inward position, resilient means in said chamber engaging said piston means and operative to move said piston means outward through said chamber to an extreme outward position, valve means disposed in said gun member on opposite ends of said chamber and alternately operable to connect said chamber to said receiving area or surface 'as said piston means is moved toward its extreme inward position, and to connect said chamber to said reservoir as said piston means is moved toward its extreme outward position, and valve means in said reservoir between said lubricant supply and said gun member and operable by said piston means to shut off or connect said lubricant supply to said gun member.

4. A lubricating device comprising a reservoir arranged to hold a supply of lubricant, means connected to said reservoir operable to selectively direct said lubricant to a receiving area or surface external to said device comprising a tubular-shaped lubricating gun member having a chamber formed centrally therein, piston means slidably disposed in said chamber, operating means for said piston means comprising a lever and means providing aa pivotal connection between said piston means and said lever, a link member loosely coupled between one end of said lever and said gun member, said lever being arranged for rotational movement about said pivotal connection and said pivotalconnection being movable with respect to said gun member to move said piston means to an extreme inward position, spring means disposed in said chamber engaging said piston means and operable to move said piston means to an extreme outward position determined by said link member, valve means disposed in said gun member on opposite ends of said chamber and alternately operable to connect said chamber to said receiving area or surface as said piston means is moved toward its extreme inward position and to connect said chamber to said reservoir as said piston means is moved toward its extreme outward position, and valve means in said reservoir between said lubricant supply and said gun member and operable by said piston means to shut off or connect said lubricant supply to said gun member.

5. A pump comprising a body having a cylindrical chamber extending longitudinally into the body and opening through one end thereof, a piston slidably engaged in said chamber and having a portion extending beyond said body, a cap secured to said extending portion of said piston, lever means having a central portion pivotally connected to opposed sides of said cap and having arms extending outwardly on opposite sides of said central portion, an actuating surface on the end of the oppositely extending arms arranged upon a pressure being applied thereon to pivot said lever about said cap, a link connected to the end of said lever arm and said body for causing relative movement between the piston and the body upon movement of the lever, said piston being formed to provide a hollow chamber opening into the cylindrical chamber, and spring means seated between the end of the piston chamber and cylindrical chamber and pressing the piston outwardly of the body.

6. A pump comprising a body forming a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and having a portion extending beyond the cylinder and provided with a handle, a lever pivotally mounted on said piston and having one end extending adjacent to said handle and the other end extending to the opposite side, a link connecting said last mentioned lever end to said cylinder and spring means between the picton and cylinder for urging the piston outwardly of the cylinder.

7. A pump comprising a body forming a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and having a portion extending beyond the cylinder and provided with a handle extending alongside said cylinder, a lever pivotally mounted on said portion and having one end adjacent to said handle and the other end extending to the opposite side, a projection on said cylinder extending opposite said lever, a link connecting said last mentioned lever end to said projection and spring means between the piston and cylinder for urging the piston outwardly of the cylinder.

8. A device as described in claim 6 where the piston is formed with a valve controlled duct opening through the piston into the cylinder.

9. A device as described in claim 8 where the cylinder is formed with a duct opening through the end opposite to the piston and a fluid supply conduit is connected to the duct.

10. A device as described in claim 9 where the piston is provided with a feed spout connected with said duct.

11. A pump comprising a body forming a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and having an outer portion disposed beyond one end of said body, a handle connected to said outer portion of the piston and extending at one side of said body, a lever having a pivotal connection to said outer portion of the piston, said lever at one side of said pivotal connection presenting one end which extends adjacent to the handle and at the opposite side of said pivotal connection presenting an opposite end which extends at the opposite side of said body from the handle, and a rigid link connecting said opposite end of the lever to the body, said link being mounted to pivot with respect to the body upon pivotal movement of the lever about its pivotal connection to the piston, and said lever moving the piston inward along said cylinder away from said one end of the body when said one end of the lever is moved toward the handle to pivot the lever about its pivotal connection to the piston and spring means biasing the piston outward along the cylinder toward said one end of the body to position said pivotal connection of the lever away from said one end of the body.

12. The pump of claim 11, wherein the body and said opposite end of the lever presents seats for the link which face away from each other, and said link at its opposite ends has transverse protrusions which are pivotally seated on said seats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10,885 Edson May 9, 1854 17,653 Lewis June 23, 1857 98,740 Carr Jan. 11, 1870 1,364,347 Bobrick Jan. 4, 1921 1,432,658 Bellar Oct. 17, 1922 2,312,832 Goldwater Mar. 2, 1943 2,629,328 Ladd Feb. 24, 1953 

